Home-invasion robber evades manhunt

STOCKTON – Authorities finally called off their search about 12:30 a.m. today following a four-hour manhunt for a home-invasion robber who fired a gun at pursuing deputies, crashed a stolen truck and then fled on foot, law enforcement officials said.

STOCKTON – Authorities finally called off their search about 12:30 a.m. today following a four-hour manhunt for a home-invasion robber who fired a gun at pursuing deputies, crashed a stolen truck and then fled on foot, law enforcement officials said.

The robbery occurred about 8:25 p.m. in the 10000 block of Lava Bed Lane in north Stockton, Lt. Jay Smith of the Stockton Police Department said. When the victim answered a knock at her door, she was confronted by an armed man who forced his way into the home, took her keys and stole her Toyota Tundra pickup, Smith said. The victim was not injured, Smith said.

Police notified other local law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for a stolen Tundra being driven by a Latino man in his 20s standing 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds with a beanie and a wig, Smith said. Lt. Jim Cannon of the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said the pursuit started when deputies spotted the stolen pickup about 15 minutes later.

Shortly after the pursuit began, deputies heard a gunshot and saw what appeared to be a muzzle flash from the driver's side of the pickup, Cannon said. The pursuit continued south on North Pershing Avenue until the pickup sideswiped another vehicle, causing minor injuries to the sole occupant of that vehicle, authorities said.

The pickup became disabled after crashing into a cyclone fence at the Hacienda Plaza business complex in the 4200 block of North Pershing Avenue, just west of Stagg High School, Cannon said. The driver exited the pickup and fled on foot, Cannon said.

The Police Department and the Sheriff's Office established a perimeter in the area and conducted an extensive search of yards on El Monte and Downs streets between North Pershing and Manchester avenues, but the armed robber was not found, Smith said.

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